Decentralized systems methods and computer program products for sending secure messages among a group of nodes

This invention relates to systems, methods and computer program products for communicating among nodes that are connected to a communications network, and more particularly to systems, methods and computer program products for sending and receiving secure messages among nodes that are connected to a communications network. Secure messages are sent among a group of nodes selected from a plurality of nodes that are connected to a communications network, by defining a random secret key at a first one of the group of nodes. The random secret key is sent from the first one of the group nodes to remaining ones of the group of nodes. A random number is generated at a second one of the group of nodes. A one-way hash of the random number and the random secret key is performed at the second one of the group of nodes to generate a working key. A message is encrypted at the second one of the group of nodes, using the working key. The encrypted message and the random number is sent from the second one of the group of nodes to remaining ones of the group of nodes. The encrypted message and the random number are received at the remaining ones of the group of nodes. Each of the remaining ones of the group of nodes performs a one-way hash of the random number and the random secret key, to regenerate the working key. The message is then decrypted using the regenerated working key. The secret key may be defined at any one of the group of nodes rather than a predefined, centralized key distribution center. Moreover, the random number may be generated at any one of the group of nodes that desires to communicate an encrypted message to remaining ones of the group of nodes. Decentralized group key management is thereby provided.